EPIC Alert 21.14

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E P I C A l e r t
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Volume 21.14 July 30, 2014
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Published by the
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC)
Washington, D.C.
http://www.epic.org/alert/epic_alert_21.14.html
"Defend Privacy. Support EPIC."
http://epic.org/support
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Table of Contents
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[1] Lawsuit Against Google for Privacy Changes Moves Forward
[2] EPIC Files Lawsuit For Details of Government Profiling System
[3] EPIC Uncovers Complaints from Ed. Dept. re: Misuse of Records
[4] EPIC Urges Privacy Board to Address 12333 Surveillance Authority
[5] EPIC, Consumer Groups Challenge Facebook on Web Snooping
[6] News in Brief
[7] EPIC in the News
[8] EPIC Book Review: 'Rise of the American Corporate Security State'
[9] Upcoming Conferences and Events
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[1] Lawsuit Against Google for Privacy Changes Moves Forward
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A federal court in California has ruled that a class action privacy
lawsuit against Google can continue. The plaintiffs in the case are
Android users who allege that Google concealed a plan to modify
privacy policies and also violated the privacy policy for Google Play.
The court dismissed similar claims brought by different groups of
Google users. However, the court ruled that Android users who
downloaded at least one Android app through Google Play may bring
breach of contract and fraud claims against Google.
The lawsuit arose in 2012 after Google collapsed the privacy policies
of over 60 Google products and services, including Gmail, Google+,
YouTube, and the Android mobile operating system. Rather than keeping
personal information about a user of a given Google service separate
from information gathered from other Google services, Google
consolidated user data and created a single merged profile for each
user.
In response to the policy change, eight members of Congress wrote to
Google, asking the company to explain the "steps [that] are being taken
to ensure the protection of consumers' privacy rights." State Attorneys
General, European Justice Officials, technical experts, and IT managers
in government and the private sector also expressed concern about the
2012 Google policy change. European privacy officials concluded that
the changes did not comply with the European Union Data Protection
Directive, and European Justice Minister Viviane Reding said that the
changes violated European Union law "in numerous respects."
In 2012, EPIC objected to the same change in Google's policy and urged
the Federal Trade Commission to block the change based on a 2011
consent order in which Google agreed not to combine user data without
user consent. After the FTC failed to act, EPIC sued the agency. A
federal court dismissed EPIC's lawsuit because the "decision to enforce
the Consent Order is committed to agency discretion and is not subject
to judicial review." At the time, even though the court found that it
lacked jurisdiction over agency enforcement actions and was unable to
compel the FTC to enforce the consent order, the court acknowledged
"serious concerns" with Google's changes.
Reuters: "Google must face U.S. privacy lawsuit over commingled user
data" (Jul. 22, 2014)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/22/us-google-privacy-
lawsuit-idUSKBN0FR1XA20140722
EPIC: Letter from Congress to FTC re: Google Privacy (Feb. 17, 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/congress-ftc-letter.html
Google: Blog Post on Updated Terms of Service (Jan. 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/google-blog-tos.html
EPIC: EPIC v. FTC (Enforcement of the Google Consent Order)
http://epic.org/privacy/ftc/google/consent-order.html
FTC: In the Matter of Google, Inc. (Oct. 24, 2011)
http://epic.org/redirect/071614-ftc-google-2011.html
EPIC: Federal Trade Commission
http://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/
EPIC: Google Buzz
https://www.epic.org/privacy/ftc/googlebuzz/
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[2] EPIC Files Lawsuit For Details of Government Profiling System
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EPIC has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit over a
controversial Department of Homeland Security datamining program
called the "Analytical Framework for Intelligence."
The program, implemented through Customs and Border Protection,
collects a vast amount of sensitive personal information obtained from
government agencies and commercial data aggregators, including,
according to the complaint, "full name, address, age, gender, race,
physical characteristics, marital status, residency status, country of
citizenship, city and country of birth, date of birth, Social Security
Number, vehicle information, travel information, document information,
passport information, law enforcement records, and familial and other
contact information." Additionally, the program "permits DHS AFI
analysts to upload and share information that may be relevant from
other sources, such as the Internet or traditional news media, into
projects, responses to [Requests for Information] RFIs, or final
intelligence products."
The system is used by the DHS for "link analysis, anomaly detection,
change detection analysis, temporal analysis, pattern analysis, and
predictive modeling."
The system similarly incorporates "risk assessment" scores from the
Automated Targeting System, also operated by the DHS. The risk
assessment scores are essentially a terrorist risk rating to all
individuals attempting to enter or exit the US or those even very
indirectly involved in the transit, importation, or exportation of
merchandise to and from the US.
EPIC's original April 2014 FOIA request for information on the
Analytical Framework for Intelligence sought:
"(1) All AFI training modules, request forms, and similar final
guidance documents that are used in, or will be used in,
the operation of the program;
(2) Any records, memos, opinions, communications, or other
documents that discuss potential or actual sources of
information not currently held in DHS databases, or potential
or actual uses of information not currently held in DHS
databases;
(3) Any records, contracts, or other communications with
commercial data aggregators regarding the AFI program; and
(4) The Privacy Compliance Report initiated in August 2013 by the
DHS Privacy Office."
DHS did not respond to EPIC's request in the statutory 20-day limit,
nor did the agency send a letter to EPIC explaining why it would not
send the information.
EPIC previously submitted comments to DHS urging the agency to suspend
the Automated Targeting System, arguing that the use of such factors as
race and nationality in a government database is unconstitutional. The
Automated Targeting System was initially created to screen shipping
cargo but has expanded to monitor individuals and create risk
assessment profiles on Americans who are not suspected of any crime.
EPIC: Complaint in EPIC v. CBP (Jul. 18, 2014)
http://epic.org/foia/cpb/EPIC-v-CBP-Complaint.pdf
EPIC: Initial FOIA Request on Analytical Framework (Apr. 8, 2014)
http://epic.org/foia/epic_v_cbp.html
DHS: Privacy Impact Assessment on Datamining Program (Jun. 1, 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/dhs-pia-datamining.html
DHS: 2013 Data Mining Report to Congress (Feb. 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/dhs-datamining-report.html
EPIC: Automated Targeting System
http://epic.org/privacy/travel/ats/
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[3] EPIC Uncovers Complaints from Ed. Dept. re: Misuse of Records
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EPIC has obtained documents from the Department of Education detailing
parent and student complaints about the misuse of educational records.
The Department released the documents in response to an EPIC Freedom of
Information Act request. The documents reveal that schools and districts
have disclosed students' personal records without consent, possibly in
violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and
that the Department failed to investigate many FERPA complaints. EPIC
is expecting to receive more documents about the agency's enforcement
of the federal student privacy law.
The Education Department administers FERPA, a federal student privacy
law applicable to educational agencies and institutions receiving
federal funds for Department programs. Subject to certain exceptions,
FERPA grants students the right to prohibit disclosure of their
education records. FERPA also grants students due process rights, like
the right to access their education records and the right to amend or
delete "inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate data" within
a student education record. The Education Department investigates
complaints filed by parents and students alleging that agencies and
institutions have violated their FERPA rights. The Department also has
the authority to conduct FERPA investigations even if students have not
filed or have withdrawn a complaint.
Since 2008, the Education Department has issued FERPA regulations that
have significantly expanded the circumstances under which schools can
disclose education records without student consent. In April 2014, EPIC
submitted a FOIA request to the Education Department, seeking: "(1) all
FERPA complaints the Education Department received since the 2008 FERPA
regulations went into effect; (2) all records detailing the number of
investigations the Education Department initiated in response to
complaints and on its own since the 2008 FERPA regulations went into
effect; and (3) all records related to completed investigations since
the 2008 FERPA regulations went into effect."
The FOIA documents demonstrate that parents and students routinely
contact the Education Department seeking assistance with alleged FERPA
violations. Students report being denied access to their education
records and having their records disclosed without their authorization.
Despite student and parental complaints, the Education Department
declined to investigate numerous FERPA violation allegations.
In 2012, EPIC sued the Education Department over changes to FERPA,
arguing that the changes significantly weakened student privacy
protections and that the agency did not have statutory authority to
amend the law.
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 1 (Dec. 2010)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-1.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 2 (Mar. 2011)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-2.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 3 (Jun. 2011)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-3.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 4 (Sep. 2010)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-4.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 5 (Aug. 2010)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-5.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 6 (Oct. 2010)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-6.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 7 (Oct. 2010)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-7.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 8
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-8.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Document Set 9 (Feb. 2011)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-9.pdf
EPIC: EPIC FERPA FOIA Request (Apr. 15, 2014)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/EPIC-FERPA-FOIA-Request.pdf
EPIC: Student Privacy
http://epic.org/privacy/student/
EPIC: Open Government
http://epic.org/open_gov/
EPIC: EPIC v. U.S. Department of Education
http://epic.org/apa/ferpa/
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[4] EPIC Urges Privacy Board to Address 12333 Surveillance Authority
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At a July 23 public hearing of the President's Privacy and Civil
Liberties Oversight Board, EPIC National Security Counsel Jeramie
Scott urged Board the to focus on surveillance conducted under
Executive Order 12333. The Executive Order, signed in 1981, grants
broad surveillance authority to the Intelligence Community with minimal
oversight. 12333 has enabled vast surveillance of Americans, but has
received little attention.
Mr. Scott noted former NSA head General Keith Alexander's statement to
the Senate that the "NSA conducts the majority of its SIGNIT activities
solely pursuant to the authority provided by Executive Order (EO)
12333." These activities include tapping the main communication links
between Google and Yahoo data centers located around the world and
collecting millions of contact lists from email and instant message
accounts.
The only oversight of the surveillance conducted under 12333 comes from
the Executive branch of government, which, according to EPIC, "has
proven to be ineffective at best in limiting surveillance overreach."
As noted in Mr. Scott's statement, Congress has admitted to very little
oversight of 12333 and the Order does not fall within the purview of
the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Mr. Scott urged the
Oversight Board to review 12333 and recommended that the Board oversee:
"1. The extent to which information on United States Persons is
captured by surveillance conducted under 12333. 2. The extent to which
collection under 12333 results in the retention and/or dissemination of
non-target data. 3.The effectiveness of current oversight and
minimization procedures." Scott also pressed the Board release a public
report of the 12333 review.
EPIC previously encouraged the Privacy and Civil Liberties Board to
establish greater legal protection for metadata, increase safeguards
for personal data, and minimize data collection. At the Board's first
public meeting in 2012, EPIC recommended that the Board ensure Privacy
Act adherence and investigate privacy concerns with the Fusion Center
program, closed-circuit television surveillance, body scanners,
surveillance drones, and Suspicious Activity Reporting. Thus far, the
Privacy Board has focused almost entirely on the "Section 215" and
"Section 702" surveillance programs.
PCLOB: Public Meeting (Jul. 23, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/pclob-meeting.html
US Archives: Executive Order 12333 (Dec. 4, 1981)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/EO-12333.html
EPIC: Statement of EPIC's Jeramie Scott at PCLOB (Jul. 23, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/epic-scott-statement.html
US Senate: Statement of Former NSA Director Alexander (Oct. 2, 2013)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/alexander-testimony.html
EPIC: Executive Order 12333
http://epic.org/privacy/surveillance/12333/
Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board
http://www.pclob.gov/
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[5] EPIC, Consumer Groups Challenge Facebook on Web Snooping
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EPIC, along with a coalition of consumer groups, has urged the Federal
Trade Commission to block Facebook's plan to collect users' web browsing
history.
Facebook recently announced plans to collect detailed user web-browsing
data for advertising purposes. Users who object were told to opt-out by
downloading a cookie from a third-party website. The consumer groups'
letter noted that this requirement "has the effect of punishing the
users who are most diligent about their privacy: the minute users clear
their cookies, they also delete the opt-out preference. Thus, even
consumers who work to exercise their ability to opt out must remain
vigilant, even after taking the appropriate privacy precautions."
Previously, Facebook had said that it does not monitor users' web
browsing activities. Now, wrote the consumer groups, "Facebook has now
completely reversed its stance to the detriment of users of the
service. Contrary to its prior representations, upon which users may
have relied, the company will now routinely monitor the web browsing
activities of its users and exploit that information for advertising
purposes." The groups therefore recommended that "[t]he FTC should
examine whether Facebook's changein business practices violates the
consent order between Facebook and the FTC."
Furthermore, the practice may violate a Federal Trade Commission order
prohibiting Facebook from changing business practices without users'
express consent. Facebook is under a 20-year consent decree from the
FTC that requires users' express affirmative consent before disclosing
personal information that exceeds the restrictions imposed by users'
privacy settings.
The groups asked the FTC "to act immediately to notify the company that
it must suspend its proposed change in business practices to determine
whether it complies with current U.S. and EU law." EPIC has also filed
a FOIA request, seeking the FTC's communications with Facebook about
this change.
TACD: Letter to Congress (Jul. 29, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/tacd-facebook-letter.html
EPIC: FOIA Request to FTC (Jun. 20, 2014)
https://epic.org/privacy/ftc/facebook/FB-FOIA-Request.pdf
FTC: Press Release on Consent Order (Aug. 10, 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/ftc-facebook-settlement.html
EPIC: Facebook Privacy
https://epic.org/privacy/facebook/
EPIC: Online Tracking and Behavioral Targeting
http://epic.org/privacy/consumer/online_tracking_and_behavioral.html
EPIC: FTC
https://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/
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[6] News in Brief
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Senators Markey and Hatch Introduce Student Privacy Legislation
Today Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced
legislation to require privacy safeguards for education records and
prohibit the use of student information for advertising purposes. The
"Protecting Student Privacy Act of 2014" would give students the right
to access and amend their records that are held by private companies.
The bill also requires schools to minimize the amount of personally
identifiable information transferred to private companies, and requires
companies to destroy student information "when the information is no
longer needed for the specified purpose." The bill incorporates many of
the proposals EPIC set out in the Student Privacy Bill of Rights.
Senator Markey announced plans to introduce student privacy legislation
earlier in 2014 at EPIC's public panel on student privacy.
Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): Text of Student Privacy Bill (Jul. 14, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/markey-student-privacy-bill.html
EPIC: Student Privacy Bill of Rights (Mar. 2014)
http://epic.org/privacy/student/bill-of-rights.html
EPIC: "Education Records and Student Privacy" Panel (Jan. 14, 2014)
http://epic.org/events/student-privacy14/
EPIC: Student Privacy
http://epic.org/privacy/student/
Senator Leahy Introduces Bill to End NSA Bulk Record Collection
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), joined by Democratic and Republican
Senators, has introduced legislation to end the NSA's practice of
collecting Americans' telephone records. Leahy described the bill
as "the most significant reform of government surveillance authorities
since Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act 13 years ago." The USA
FREEDOM Act would require require the government to specify specific
"search terms" to obtain telephone record information. The government
would have to demonstrate that it has a "reasonable, articulable
suspicion" that the search term is associated with a foreign terrorist
organization. The bill also requires a comprehensive transparency
report for the use of FISA surveillance authorities. However, the bill
exempts the FBI from certain reporting requirements. Civil liberties
organizations support the bill. EPIC previously filed a Petition for
Mandamus with the US Supreme Court, seeking to end the bulk collection
of American's phone records. EPIC's petition was supported by legal
scholars, technical experts and former members of the Church Committee.
Sen. Patrick Leahy: Text of USA FREEDOM Act (July 2014)
http://www.leahy.senate.gov/download/hen14602
Openthegovernment.org: Support for USA FREEDOM Act (Jul. 29, 2014)
http://www.openthegovernment.org/node/4567
EPIC: Petition to US Supreme Court re: Section 215 (Jul. 8, 2013)
http://epic.org/EPIC-FISC-Mandamus-Petition.pdf
EPIC: In re EPIC - NSA Telephone Records Surveillance
http://epic.org/privacy/nsa/in-re-epic/
EPIC: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Reform
http://epic.org/privacy/terrorism/fisa/reform/
EPIC Seeks Government Report on Security of Internet Voting
EPIC has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the US
Department of Defense for records detailing the security of online
voting. The agency administers the Federal Voting Assistance Program,
which has promoted online voting and provided funding to states for
Internet voting technology. Computer scientists have expressed concern
about the reliability of these systems and privacy risks to voters. At
a 2012 Congressional hearing, the agency promised to release the
results of security tests it had conducted on voting software. Because
the agency has failed to make the test results public, EPIC has
demanded these results, as well as related documents, be disclosed.
EPIC: FOIA Request to DoD re: Online Voting (Jul. 17, 2014)
http://epic.org/privacy/voting/EPIC-FVAP-FOIA-Request-071714.pdf
Defense Dept.: Federal Voting Assistance Program
http://www.fvap.gov/
Verified Voting: Blog Post on Internet Voting (Feb. 15, 2013)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/verified-voting.html
GPO: Congressional Hearing on Voting Assistance Program (Sep. 13, 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/voting-hearing.html
Politico: "DoD won't release e-voting penetration tests" (Jun. 16, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/politico-evoting.html
EPIC: Open Government
http://epic.org/open_gov/
EPIC: Voting Privacy
http://epic.org/privacy/voting/
Senator Seeks Facebook Mood Study Investigation Following EPIC Complaint
Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has asked the Federal Trade Commission to
investigate the legality of Facebook's emotional manipulation study. In
a letter to the Commission, Senator Warner stated, "it is not clear
whether Facebook users were adequately informed and given an
opportunity to opt-in or opt-out." He also asked the FTC to conduct an
investigation on whether "this 2012 experiment violated Section 5 of
the FTC Act or the 2011 consent agreement with Facebook," two issues
raised in EPIC's July 3 FTC complaint on the same topic. "The company
purposefully messed with people's minds," EPIC wrote. EPIC's complaint
also charged that Facebook violated a consent decree that required the
company to respect user privacy, and also engaged in a deceptive trade
practice. EPIC has asked the FTC to require that Facebook make public
the "News Feed" algorithm.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA): Blog Post on Facebook Investigation
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/warner-facebook.html
Sen. Warner: Letter to FTC re: Facebook Mood Study (Jul. 9, 2014)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/233238030/Warner-Letter-to-FTC-7-9-14
EPIC: Complaint to FTC re: Facebook Mood Study (Jul. 3, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/epic-facebook-mood-complaint.html
FTC: Proceedings Against Facebook (Aug. 10, 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/ftc-facebook-2012.html
EPIC: In re: Facebook (Psychological Study)
http://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/facebook/psycho/
EPIC: In re: Facebook
http://epic.org/privacy/inrefacebook/
EPIC: Federal Trade Commission
http://epic.org/privacy/internet/ftc/
Obama Drone Order Fails to Safeguard Privacy
According to published reports, President Obama is set to issue an
executive order on drone privacy. The order calls for the development
of voluntary best practices for the commercial use of drones. Senator
Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) immediately
responded to the reports with a letter to the President urging "strong,
enforceable rules - not voluntary best practices...." EPIC has
testified in Congress in support of a comprehensive drone privacy
law, calling for drone legislation to include use limitations, data
retention limitations, transparency, and public accountability. The
Federal Aviation Administration agreed to address drone privacy issues
after an EPIC-led coalition petitioned the agency in 2012. In 2013,
EPIC urged the agency to mandate minimum privacy standards for drone
operators.
Politico: "President Barack Obama to issue executive order on drone
privacy" (Jul. 23, 2014)
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/executive-order-drone-
privacy-barack-obama-109303.html#ixzz38oOabREB
Sen. Markey and Rep. Welch: Letter re: Drone Order (Jul. 24, 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/markey-welch-letter.html
EPIC: Congressional Testimony re: Drones (Mar. 20, 2013)
http://epic.org/redirect/032913-epic-drone-testimony.html
FAA: Letter to EPIC re: Petition (Feb. 14, 2013)
http://epic.org/privacy/drones/DOT-UAS-Privacy-Issues-Letter.pdf
EPIC et al.: Letter to FAA re: Drones (Feb. 24, 2012)
http://epic.org/privacy/drones/FAA-553e-Petition-03-08-12.pdf
EPIC: Comments to FAA on Drone Privacy Standards (Apr. 23, 2013)
http://epic.org/apa/comments/EPIC-Drones-Comments-2013.pdf
EPIC: UAVs and Drones
http://epic.org/privacy/drones/
Annual Report: Federal and State Wiretaps Up 5% in 2013
The Administrative Office of the US Courts has issued the 2013 Wiretap
Report, detailing the use of surveillance authorities by law
enforcement agencies. This annual report, one of the most comprehensive
issued by any agency, provides an insight into the debate over
surveillance authorities and the use of privacy-enhancing technologies.
In 2013, wiretap applications increased 5%, up from 3,576 to 3,395.
Authorities encountered encryption during 41 investigations, but
encryption prevented the government from deciphering messages in only
nine cases. This statistic contradicts claims that law enforcement
agencies are "going dark" as new technologies emerge. Of the 3,074
individuals arrested based on wiretaps in 2013, only 709 were
convicted based on wiretap evidence. EPIC has repeatedly called on
greater transparency of FISA surveillance, citing the Wiretap Report as
a model for other agencies. EPIC also maintains a comprehensive index
of the annual wiretap reports and FISA reports.
US Courts: Wiretap Report 2013 (July 2014)
http://epic.org/redirect/073014/2013-wiretap-report.html
Washington Post: "Proliferation of new online communications services
pose hurdles for law enforcement" (July 26, 2014)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/
proliferation-of-new-online-communications-services-poses-hurdles-
for-law-enforcement/2014/07/25/645b13aa-0d21-11e4-b8e5-d0de80767fc2
_story.html
EPIC: Testimony on FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (May 31, 2012)
http://epic.org/redirect/061912-epic-fisa-amdt-statement.html
EPIC: Title III Wiretap Orders - Stats
http://epic.org/privacy/wiretap/stats/wiretap_stats.html
EPIC: Wiretapping
http://epic.org/privacy/wiretap/
EPIC: Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
http://epic.org/privacy/terrorism/fisa/
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[7] EPIC in the News
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"Leahy Bill Aims to Rein In Government Snooping." Tech News World,
July 30, 2014.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/80814.html
"Privacy Consortium Urges Regulators to Block Facebook's New Ad Policy."
The Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2014.
http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/07/29/privacy-consortium-urges-
regulators-to-block-facebooks-new-ad-policy/
"Privacy Coalition Urges FTC To Block Facebook's Behavioral-Advertising
Plan." Media Post, July 29, 2014
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/230990/privacy-
coalition-urges-ftc-to-block-facebooks-be.html
"Groups push feds to halt Facebook's tracking." The Hill, July 29, 2014.
http://thehill.com/policy/technology/213634-privacy-groups-push-
feds-to-investigate-facebook
"Privacy Groups Blast Facebook for Persistent Tracking." Politico,
July 29, 2014.
http://www.politico.com/morningtech/0714/morningtech14813.html
"Activist group sues US border agency over new, vast intelligence
system." Ars Technica, July 21, 2014.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/07/activist-group-sues-us-
border-agency-over-new-vast-intelligence-system/
"Justices' cellphone privacy ruling may have broad impact." USA Today,
July 20, 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/20/supreme-court-
cellphone-privacy-nsa-terrorism/12779997/
"On the Line: Privacy and Security on Mobile Devices [video]." Voice of
America, July 17, 2014.
http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1960147.html
"FTC Urged To Protect Consumers From Secret Psych Experiments."
Media Post, July 17, 2014.
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/230262/ftc-urged-to-
protect-consumers-from-secret-psych-e.html
"Facebook teams up with Nielsen to track what you are watching?
[video]." Fox Business News, July 15, 2014.
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3676618113001/facebook-teams-up-
with-nielsen-to-track-what-you-are-watching/#sp=show-clips
For More EPIC in the News: http://epic.org/news/epic_in_news.html
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[8] EPIC Book Review: 'Rise of the American Corporate Security State'
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"The Rise of the American Corporate Security State: Six Reasons to
Be Afraid," Beatrice Edwards
http://amzn.to/UzL2lu
"The Rise of the American Corporate Security State" is an intriguing
read about the close ties between corporate wealth and government
power. Beatrice Edwards, the Executive Director the Government
Accountability Project, weaves stories into her argument that
highlight the issue succinctly and starkly.
Edwards contends in the first half of the book that surveillance is
expanding, the consolidated control of information is increasing, and
the separation of powers is eroding. At the heart of her argument are
the Snowden revelations, which exposed the true extent of our national
security state, including the government's dragnet approach to
intelligence collection and the lack of meaningful oversight by the
legislative and judicial branches. Edwards lists the government's
extensive efforts to maintain control over information: Consistently
overclassifying documents, fighting tooth-and-nail against Freedom of
Information Act requests, and demonizing all who expose government
wrongdoing.
The second half of the book focuses on the increasingly cozy
relationship between corporations and the government. This relationship
often leads to government contracts with corporations that bilk the
American people of their tax dollars with unnecessary and ineffective
programs. The government-corporate relationship and the hazards it can
foster are epitomized by the financial industry and the 2008 financial
crisis. Edwards warns the relationships are getting cozier, especially
as the government uses cybersecurity as an excuse to gain greater
access to the information corporations collect on us.
"The Rise of the American Corporate Security State" exposes how the
power of the corporate state is leading to the erosion of our
democracy: Our privacy is diminishing; our freedoms are impaired;
checks and balances are eroding; and corporate entities are almost
never called to account for their wrongdoing. The prognosis for our
democracy is dire, but Edwards offers practical steps to save it
because "the battle for equality and fairness is not yet over."
-- Jeramie D. Scott
=======================================
EPIC Book Store
=======================================
"Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws 2010," edited by
Harry A. Hammitt, Marc Rotenberg, John A. Verdi, Ginger McCall, and Mark
S. Zaid (EPIC 2010). Price: $75.
http://epic.org/bookstore/foia2010/
Litigation Under the Federal Open Government Laws is the most
comprehensive, authoritative discussion of the federal open access laws.
This updated version includes new material regarding President Obama's
2009 memo on Open Government, Attorney General Holder's March 2009 memo
on FOIA Guidance, and the new executive order on declassification. The
standard reference work includes in-depth analysis of litigation under:
the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, and the Government in the Sunshine Act. The fully updated
2010 volume is the 25th edition of the manual that lawyers, journalists
and researchers have relied on for more than 25 years.
================================
"Information Privacy Law: Cases and Materials, Second Edition" Daniel J.
Solove, Marc Rotenberg, and Paul Schwartz. (Aspen 2005). Price: $98.
http://www.epic.org/redirect/aspen_ipl_casebook.html
This clear, comprehensive introduction to the field of information
privacy law allows instructors to enliven their teaching of fundamental
concepts by addressing both enduring and emerging controversies. The
Second Edition addresses numerous rapidly developing areas of privacy
law, including: identity theft, government data mining and electronic
surveillance law, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act,
intelligence sharing, RFID tags, GPS, spyware, web bugs, and more.
Information Privacy Law, Second Edition, builds a cohesive foundation
for an exciting course in this rapidly evolving area of law.
================================
"Privacy & Human Rights 2006: An International Survey of Privacy Laws
and Developments" (EPIC 2007). Price: $75.
http://www.epic.org/phr06/
This annual report by EPIC and Privacy International provides an
overview of key privacy topics and reviews the state of privacy in over
75 countries around the world. The report outlines legal protections,
new challenges, and important issues and events relating to privacy.
Privacy & Human Rights 2006 is the most comprehensive report on privacy
and data protection ever published.
================================
"The Public Voice WSIS Sourcebook: Perspectives on the World Summit on
the Information Society" (EPIC 2004). Price: $40.
http://www.epic.org/bookstore/pvsourcebook
This resource promotes a dialogue on the issues, the outcomes, and the
process of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). This
reference guide provides the official UN documents, regional and
issue-oriented perspectives, and recommendations and proposals for
future action, as well as a useful list of resources and contacts for
individuals and organizations that wish to become more involved in the
WSIS process.
================================
"The Privacy Law Sourcebook 2004: United States Law, International Law,
and Recent Developments," Marc Rotenberg, editor (EPIC 2005). Price:
$40.
http://www.epic.org/bookstore/pls2004/
The Privacy Law Sourcebook, which has been called the "Physician's Desk
Reference" of the privacy world, is the leading resource for students,
attorneys, researchers, and journalists interested in pursuing privacy
law in the United States and around the world. It includes the full
texts of major privacy laws and directives such as the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, the Privacy Act, and the OECD Privacy Guidelines, as well
as an up-to-date section on recent developments. New materials include
the APEC Privacy Framework, the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act, and the
CAN-SPAM Act.
================================
"Filters and Freedom 2.0: Free Speech Perspectives on Internet Content
Controls" (EPIC 2001). Price: $20.
http://www.epic.org/bookstore/filters2.0
A collection of essays, studies, and critiques of Internet content
filtering. These papers are instrumental in explaining why filtering
threatens free expression.
================================
EPIC publications and other books on privacy, open government, free
expression, and constitutional values can be ordered at:
EPIC Bookstore: http://www.epic.org/bookstore
================================
EPIC also publishes EPIC FOIA Notes, which provides brief summaries of
interesting documents obtained from government agencies under the
Freedom of Information Act.
Subscribe to EPIC FOIA Notes at:
http://mailman.epic.org/mailman/listinfo/foia_notes
=======================================================================
[9] Upcoming Conferences and Events
=======================================================================
"The Privacy Class Action Landscape," Featuring EPIC President Marc
Rotenberg. Boston: American Bar Association Annual Conference, Aug. 8,
2014. For More Information: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/tort_
trial_insurance_practice/events_cle/annual_2014/cle.html.
"Developing Policies for the Internet of Things," Featuring EPIC
President Marc Rotenberg. Aspen, CO: Aspen Institute Communication and
Society Program, Aug. 13-16, 2014. For More Information:
http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/communications-society.
=======================================================================
Join EPIC on Facebook and Twitter
=======================================================================
Join the Electronic Privacy Information Center on Facebook and Twitter:
http://facebook.com/epicprivacyhttp://epic.org/facebookhttp://twitter.com/epicprivacy
Start a discussion on privacy. Let us know your thoughts. Stay up to
date with EPIC's events. Support EPIC.
=======================================================================
Privacy Policy
=======================================================================
The EPIC Alert mailing list is used only to mail the EPIC Alert and to
send notices about EPIC activities. We do not sell, rent or share our
mailing list. We also intend to challenge any subpoena or other legal
process seeking access to our mailing list. We do not enhance (link to
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In the event you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe your e-mail address
from this list, please follow the above instructions under "subscription
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=======================================================================
About EPIC
=======================================================================
The Electronic Privacy Information Center is a public interest research
center in Washington, DC. It was established in 1994 to focus public
attention on emerging privacy issues such as the Clipper Chip, the
Digital Telephony proposal, national ID cards, medical record privacy,
and the collection and sale of personal information. EPIC publishes the
EPIC Alert, pursues Freedom of Information Act litigation, and conducts
policy research. For more information, see http://www.epic.org or write
EPIC, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009. +1 202
483 1140 (tel), +1 202 483 1248 (fax).
=======================================================================
Support EPIC
=======================================================================
If you'd like to support the work of the Electronic Privacy Information
Center, contributions are welcome and fully tax-deductible. Checks
should be made out to "EPIC" and sent to 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite
200, Washington, DC 20009. Or you can contribute online at:
http://www.epic.org/support
Your contributions will help support Freedom of Information Act and
First Amendment litigation, strong and effective advocacy for the right
of privacy and efforts to oppose government and private-sector
infringement on constitutional values.
=======================================================================
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Subscribe/unsubscribe via web interface:
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